The Food Project: Youth. Food. Community.

Eli Leading a TourThe following blog was written by Food Project intern Eli Gurvitch. Eli is 17 years old and lives in Jamaica Plain, Mass. He participated in The Food Project's Summer Youth Program in 2010 and has been an intern since the fall of 2011. 

Hi! My name is Eli Gurvitch. Not to be confused with the other Food Project intern who posted on this bog, Eli Shanks. He's the one who bakes bread and plays harmonica. I'm the one who has an online radio show and plays guitar. I'm 17 from Jamaica Plain and I started working at The Food Project in 2010.

I have learned many things at The Food Project. I've worked on farmland; led workshops on the food system, food justice and social justice; and interacted with community members at the farmers' market and different TFP events. I have also met and learned how to work with lots of great people, both youth and adults, and formed awesome friendships.

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LucasThe following blog was written by Food Project intern Lucas Munson. Lucas is 17 years old and lives in Arlington, Mass. He participated in The Food Project's Summer Youth Program in 2011 and in the Academic Year Program during the following school year. Currently, Lucas is an academic year intern.

Hey, my name is Lucas Munson, and I've been with The Food Project since the summer of 2011. What I have found most fascinating about The Food Project (TFP) is how it creates such a powerful network in such a large area. The Food Project helps each youth, myself included, develop a far greater understanding of what really is Boston. Whether a youth is from Boston, the suburbs, or the North shore, they are required to travel to a different part of the metro area for work. For me, this meant venturing to the heart of Roxbury.

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Kenny (top, left) as an Assistant Crew Leader The following blog was written by Food Project intern Kenny Lopez. Kenny is 18 years old and lives in Boston, Mass. He participated in The Food Project's Summer Youth Program in 2010. He participated in the Academic Year Program in 2010-11; worked as a summer intern in 2011; and served as an assistant crew leader both for the Academic Year Program in 2011-12 and for the Summer Youth Program in 2012. Currently, Kenny is an academic year intern. 

My name is Kenny Lopez. I am 18 years old and I currently live in Boston. I have been working here at The Food Project since summer of 2010.

Throughout my journey here at The Food Project, I have met some amazing people that have and are still changing my life. Before The Food Project I struggled with my confidence and even my capabilities as a person. Being here has helped me realize that as a youth I am capable of change, and now I feel confidence in myself.

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   Due to a forecasted winter storm, this event has been postponed.   
  Please check back soon for details about the new date and exciting additions to the program!   

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The Food Project's Farm at Ingalls Elementary in LynnThe following blog was written by Food Project intern Josh Hill. Josh is 17 years old and lives in Marblehead, Mass. He participated in The Food Project's Summer Youth Program in 2011, and went on to participate in the Academic Year Program and Internship Program.

Hi, I’m Josh Hill from Marblehead and I’ve been with The Food Project since 2011.

The amount of support I have found at The Food Project never ceases to amaze me. I feel like I am constantly being pushed upward, encouraged to jump high, work hard, and stay strong. Whether I want to change the world or one life, The Food Project has given me strength to make a difference.

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Alex with an Ingalls School Kindergarten ClassFoodCorps service member Alex Freedman probably never thought that his year of service would include selling socks and underwear. Alex serves with CitySprouts at the school gardens at Ford and Ingalls Elementary Schools in Lynn, Mass. To raise money for his gardens, Alex has partnered with the WholeKids Foundation, Indiegogo, and PACT organic clothing to develop a crowdfunding campaign. Over the next few weeks, Alex hopes to raise $2500 to support construction and expansion of the school gardens and Ford and Ingalls. Donors to his campaign, run through Indiegogo, receive socks or underwear specially designed by PACT organic clothing company.

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Eli (top right) with DIRT Crew in 2012The following blog was written by Food Project intern Eli Shanks. Eli participated in The Food Project's Summer Youth Program in 2011, and went on to participate in the Academic Year Program and Internship Program.

My name is Eli Shanks. I'm 18, and I've worked at The Food Project since the summer of 2011.

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Service Member Marlie works with her students.FoodCorps applications are now available for the 2013-14 academic year! FoodCorps seeks passionate, hardworking individuals who want to serve full-time in limited resource communities around the United States to help build a healthier future for our children. Through their hands-on work, FoodCorps service members TEACH children about what healthy food is and where it comes from; BUILD and tend school gardens; and BRING quality local food into public school cafeterias.

The Food Project is proud to announce that we will serve as the Massachusetts Host Site for FoodCorps service members for the third year in a row. Service members in Massachusetts serve children and communities in Boston, Lynn, and Gloucester.

Learn more about becoming a FoodCorps service member!

Briana before a build day.In August, The Food Project embarked on its second year as the Massachusetts host site for FoodCorps, a national nonprofit organization that works with schools to create a healthier school food environment. What follows is the fourth of a series of blogs profiling the FoodCorps members who are serving at The Food Project during the 2012-13 school year.

As a young child, stomach problems and other food sensitivities forced FoodCorps service member Briana Iacovetta to think frequently about what was in her food and how it affected her body. Over the years of reading ingredient labels and shopping at health food stores, she cultivated a strong interest in food and health. Now, Briana serves as a FoodCorps service member with The Food Project in Lynn, Mass.

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Lucas (center, green) and His 2012 Summer CrewThe following poem was written by Food Project youth intern Lucas Munson. Lucas first joined The Food Project in the summer of 2011 as a crew worker in our Summer Youth Program. He participated in the 2011-12 Academic Year Program, worked as an assistant crew leader during the summer of 2012, and is now an intern. We are proud to announce that The Food Project will be submitting Lucas' poem as a proposal for the CTK Foundation's Heart and Soul Grant. Thank you, Lucas, for your beautiful words.

I remember them telling us,
The city is too loud
And the country is too quiet,
Your words will never be heard.

We responded with a carrot in the dirt,
The rolled up sleeves of a sweaty shirt.
We seized pitchforks like we'd revolt,
And planted gardens as loud as hope.

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